Mitra issue: Internal investigation to follow MACC investigation - Halimah

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry will conduct an internal investigation into the issue of the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) fund, after the investigation conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) concluded, said its Minister, Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

She said that the MACC's investigation not only looked at elements of crime but also at the process of how the approval of the Mitra allocation grant was issued.

She added that the MACC would also submit recommendations for strengthening purposes, so that there would be no leakage in spending the RM100 million allocation by the Ministry of Finance to the Indian community in the country.

"We give space to the MACC to conduct an investigation. When we talk about how the grant process is approved or issued, of course, it involves the officers or any party responsible for giving the approval," she said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the Committee level in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

She also expressed confidence that the Indian Community Action Plan, to be launched next year, will be more focused on monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programmes, including the form of approval that should be given to the Indian community.

Yesterday, the MACC said that it has almost completed the investigation paper involving 10 companies that received Mitra allocation grants, and it will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor in the near future to determine the next course of action.

A total of 337 companies, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were identified to have been approved grant allocations by Mitra from 2019 to 2021, with an allocation of about RM203 million.

In another development, Halimah said that the MExUnity committee was established to discuss issues and problems related to unity, as well as the Interfaith Harmony Committee (HARMONI), which serves as a platform to discuss matters related to religions other than Islam.

She said that the HARMONI Committee, with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), was also created, so that all religious leaders sit with Jakim representatives as part of efforts to find best harmonious solution in issues related to religion, both at the federal and state level.

The Dewan Rakyat then approved the allocation of RM342 million of the Supply Bill 2022, at the Committee level, for the National Unity Ministry, through a voice vote.

Earlier, a total of 22 MPs from the government, opposition and independent blocs participated in the debate session at the Committee level involving the ministry.

-- BERNAMA